Homes for Sale in Sterling, IL

Why Move To Sterling Illinois?

Sterling is a small town in Whiteside County, north of Rock Falls, Illinois, and is located on the Rock River. The city itself is surrounded by some of the most fertile farmland in the world. It has two industrial parks and was once known as the “Hardware Capital of the World” due to its once large steel and manufacturing industries.

Sterling was incorporated as a city on February 16, 1857. The name Sterling was chosen in honor of Major James Sterling who was well known during the Blackhawk War in 1832. The city became an industrial center in the mid-1800s when the first railroad lines were laid in the area. The town eventually became home to Northwestern Steel & Wire, the Frantz Manufacturing Company, and other businesses.

Homes For Sale in Sterling, IL

Homes in the Sterling area have continued to increase in value. The median price for a home in Sterling is $84,400. According to statistics, homes have increased in value by 27.8% between the first quarter of 2000 and the first quarter of 2021.

Employment in Sterling

The top industries in Sterling are manufacturing ( 19.9%), health care (18.5%), retail trade (14.2%), accommodation (10.1%), and others. The City of Sterling is currently working to redevelop the riverfront through the Downtown Riverfront Redevelopment Plan project. This project will highlight the area’s historic past while providing employment opportunities through additional amenities.

The median income in Sterling is $37,388. This is considered middle range when compared to other places in the surrounding area. (See image above.)

Accessibility

Chicago is a 2-hour drive from Sterling. Princeton train station is a 45 minute drive. There are two international airports. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is a 2-hour drive east and Quad City International Airport is a 1-hour drive southwest.

Cost of Living

Cost of living is always a factor in any region you are considering. Basic living costs include housing, medical care, food, transportation, childcare, and other necessities. The cost of living in Sterling is 8% lower than the national average.

Sterling Online

With more and more people working from home, internet access is essential. Sterling has four options available: Xfinity, HughesNet, Viasat, and Earthlink. Television providers include Xfinity, Dish Network, and DirectTV.

Popular Events in Sterling IL

Sterling is home to a variety of events throughout the year. Below is a list of the events you can expect to see:

• Annual Fiesta Parade
• Lumberjack Show and Beard Contest
• Rock Falls Big Cat Quest Fishing Tournament
• Erie Street Fest
• Taste of Fiesta
• Art in the Park Sculpture Walk
• Emmanuel Reformed Church Car Show
• Sterling Main Street Pop Up Market
• Rock Falls River Chase
• Whiteside County Fair
• Jammin’ on The Rock
• Bos Brothers Old-Fashioned Threshing Bee
• Sauk Valley Water Ski Show

Schools in Sterling IL

Sterling is part of School District 5 which runs a number of schools which you will see listed below. There are also a number of vocational programs available to students after they graduate from high school.

Preschools and Elementary Schools

Lincoln Elementary School

Washington Elementary School

Franklin Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School

Middle Schools

Challand Middle School

High Schools

Sterling High School

Private Schools

Newman Central Catholic High School

St. Mary’s School (PK, K-8)

Christ Lutheran School (PK, K-8)

St. Mary of the Angels School (PK, K-8)

Click the link to an individual school to find out more on their website. There are also two community colleges in the area.

Parks

• Sinnissippi Park
• Platt Park
• Flock Park
• Dale Park
• Wallace Park
• Central Park
• Lincoln Park

These are the parks in the city of Sterling. There are also numerous parks within the district.

Amenities

If you like to play golf, you are spoiled for choice. There are at least four golf courses in the area. There is also the Northland Mall and numerous hotels and restaurants for special events and family dinners.

A Little Trivia for Baseball Fans

If you are a baseball fan, you might be interested to know that several high-profile baseball players have come out of Sterling, such as Steve Eddy (pitcher for the California Angels); Mike Foltynewicz (pitcher for the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves); Jakob Junis (pitcher for the Kansas City Royals); and Dan Kolb (pitcher for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and the Pittsburgh Pirates).

In Conclusion

Although Sterling is a city, it has a small-town atmosphere where everyone seems to know each other and is considered fairly safe. The small-town atmosphere makes Sterling a great place to raise a family. There are many local amenities and good transportation. The city is currently the second best place to live in Whiteside County. Here you have the best of both worlds: living in a small town while having access to big city life.